Justices suspend jury trials until March as pandemic continues
The Indiana Supreme Court has taken the “drastic” step of suspending all jury trials in Indiana until March 2021 as Indiana continues to report high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Violent offender’s appeal seeking COVID-19 release ‘misplaced’
Despite a convicted man’s claims of compromised health that raised his risk of contracting the novel coronavirus behind bars, the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Monday he wasn’t the sort of offender the Indiana Supreme Court had in mind when it urged courts earlier this year to consider release of detainees who posed little risk.
Justices certify retiring jurists as new senior judges
Numerous longtime Indiana jurists were certified as first-time senior judges last week by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Justices deny archdiocese’s bid to dismiss fired Cathedral teacher’s case
A four-member Indiana Supreme Court denied a petition Thursday filed by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to stop the lawsuit brought by a social studies teacher who was fired from Cathedral High School for being in a same-sex marriage.
Justices recertify nearly 40 senior judges
The Indiana Supreme Court has recertified nearly 40 judicial officers as senior judges, according to a Thursday order.
Justices grant transfer in one case, decline 21 others
Indiana Supreme Court justices declined to hear 21 cases of out 22 petitions for transfer last week, agreeing to hear just one case concerning a man’s lookalike drug-related conviction in a search and seizure dispute.
Murder conviction COA vacated over attorney juror’s misconduct reinstated
Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed Wednesday that a Vanderburgh County man who murdered his wife was not harmed when an attorney juror in his trial committed gross misconduct. The high court reinstated the man’s convictions that had been vacated by the Indiana Court of Appeals over the attorney’s misconduct in providing a misleading answer on a jury questionnaire.
Justices reprimand lawyer for trying to ‘silence’ student in Park Tudor scandal
The prominent Indianapolis employment law attorney who faced professional discipline charges related to his handling of a former high school basketball coach’s student sexting scandal has received a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court. A dissenting judge, however, would not impose any sanction on Ice Miller partner Michael Blickman.
COA denies state’s bid to get additional money from IBM
Indiana’s argument that although it affirmed, the state’s Supreme Court really intended to reverse the trial court and award more than $4.3 million in post-judgment interest from IBM was met with exasperation from the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Indiana switching to Uniform Bar Exam in July
Indiana’s decision to adopt the Uniform Bar Exam came after a year of study, and the decision wasn’t unanimous. As Chief Justice Loretta Rush explained, “I really respect the dissenting opinion and in many ways a lot of us agree with what they are saying. But we really felt the time had come.”
Allen Superior Court halts jury trials until out of COVID-19 ‘red’ status
The Allen Superior Court is halting jury trials until at least Jan. 11 due to the ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections in the community, the court announced Tuesday.
Indianapolis attorney suspended for misleading client
An Indianapolis attorney who failed to act promptly and misled a client has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for six months.
Judge convicted after meth sting barred from bench, suspended
A Hamilton County judge who purchased meth from an informant in a sting operation then bit the thumb of an officer who tried to stop the jurist from swallowing the evidence has been barred from holding judicial office but may continue to conditionally practice law after a 90-day suspension.
Divided justices affirm lookalike drug conviction in search dispute
A split Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed a man’s drug-related conviction after the Indiana Court of Appeals previously reversed in his favor, finding a search and seizure that resulted in his arrest proceeded within the bounds of the Fourth Amendment.
Indiana commercial courts expanding to 4 more counties
The Indiana judiciary is expanding its roster of commercial courts, adding four more counties to the program that started in 2016. The Indiana Supreme Court announced the new venues handling the specialized dockets Monday.
In affirming murder conviction, judge sees double jeopardy ‘dilemma’
The 65-year sentence of a man convicted of murder was affirmed Monday on appeal, but a judge wrote separately to “address a practical dilemma facing appellate courts, lawyers, and litigants” after recent appeals revised longstanding double jeopardy caselaw.
Justices amend rules governing firm names, letterheads
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued an order amending a rule of the court concerning firm names and letterheads.
Justices agree to hear hospital records breach suit, post-conviction appeal
A lawsuit against a hospital over a former employee who accessed confidential medical records without authorization will be heard by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Creating new options for future recovery: Allen County debuts OWI Court
As problem-solving courts continue to expand across Indiana, Allen County is introducing a new program into the state’s suite of specialty courts. Launched in August, the Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Court in northeastern Indiana is the first of its kind in the state.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, reprimanded and suspended during the most recent reporting period.